Mrs. Coverlet series
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|
While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away (1958), Mrs. Coverlet's Magicians (1960), and Mrs. Coverlet's Detectives (1965) comprise a children's book trilogy authored by Mary Nash, with illustrations by Garrett Price and published through Little, Brown and Company. The narrative centers on three siblings—Malcolm, Molly, and Theobold ("Toad")—who are looked after by their housekeeper, Mrs. Coverlet, during their father's frequent absences due to work commitments. The character "Toad" draws inspiration from Nash’s youngest offspring.
While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away
During their father's trip to New Zealand, Mrs. Coverlet is suddenly called away, leaving the three children to fend for themselves over several weeks. The story highlights their efforts to conceal the absence of adult supervision, Malcolm’s internal ethical dilemmas, and the revelation that Theobold’s cat belongs to a rare exotic species.
Mrs. Coverlet's Magicians
With their father managing a tin mining operation and Mrs. Coverlet participating in a baking competition, family acquaintance Miss Eva Penalty takes on house-sitting duties. Initially strict and disliked by the children—especially Theobold—Miss Eva gradually becomes more relaxed and permissive. Malcolm and Molly uncover that Theobold has been experimenting with magic on her using instructions from a comic book advertisement.
Mrs. Coverlet's Detectives
In Detectives, the siblings—conscientious Malcolm, pragmatic Molly, and mischievous Theobold ("Toad")—embark on a journey to New York City to recover their kidnapped pet cat.
Critical Reception
While Mrs. Coverlet Was Away received acclaim from The New York Times for transcending its improbable premise through believable characters and authentic dialogue, portraying "recognizable children living out a wonderful fairy tale." The New York Herald Tribune described Away as "light and humorous," emphasizing the entertaining nature of the children managing the household independently, which resonated well with young audiences.
The Herald Tribune regarded Magicians as less effective due to its incorporation of magical elements. In contrast, The New York Times praised Detectives as the sole "completely successful" sequel among contemporary children's literature, distinguishing itself from uninspired characters and lifeless storylines.
History
In 1961, Mrs. Coverlet's Magicians was honored as one of the New York Times' One Hundred Outstanding Books for Younger Readers.